Man, 35, held after two die in resort shooting

POLICE were questioning a 35-yearold man on suspicion of murder last night after a mother and daughter were shot dead in a seaside town.

The two women, aged 53 and 32, were killed inside a semi-detached home in St Leonards, East Sussex, on Friday night. Two other women, including one who is pregnant, were led to safety and treated at hospital for shock. Officers were called to the house at 7.43pm. The suspect, who police said was known to the victims, was discovered hiding in a railway underpass near the house two hours later.

Forensics later recovered a firearm from the scene. Police said the attack was “not a random act” and said they were not looking for anyone else in connection with the double killing.

Locals described seeing armed police arrive in a 4x4. James Butler said: “All of a sudden, police officers were shouting ‘get back, your life is at risk’.”

A neighbour said: “I was just watching a film when I saw police with machine guns running past the window.”

Amber Rudd, the Home Secretary and local MP, said: “My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the victims.”